Peripheral Data Storage Device

ABSTRACT

A peripheral data storage device for IPad device having an encasement containing a system of electronic circuits which communicates with the IPad by means of a host software system and a device software system. The device also has a charge pass through connector and optional card slots. Various views of the device are shown in FIGS.  1 - 5.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 13/620,724 filed 15 Sep. 2012, now pending, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 13/158,809 filed 13 Jun. 2011, now pending, which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 12/581,768 filed 19 Oct. 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,670, which claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/106,809 filed 20 Oct. 2008. Thus this application claims benefit of priority for the filing date of the provisional application No. 61/106,809 for all subject matter common to both applications.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to IPad peripherals, specifically to a peripheral device which stores data.

2. Prior Art

Data-intensive applications for the IPads such as PodCasts have increased memory usage at a great rate. Thus, many users are exhausting the built-in memory. These users seek additional memory for their devices. There is no peripheral device that provides a storage solution for these IPad users.

DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 shows the device disconnected from the IPad, with dock pass-through connector, optional microSD slots, and dock connector for connection to IPad.

FIG. 2 is a view of the back side of the IPad with the device connected, showing the optional microSD slots.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device on the IPad, showing the optional microSD slots FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the IPad with the device attached.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the IPad with the device attached.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   100 device -   110 dock pass-through connector -   111 optional microSD slots -   112 8 pin dock connector for connection to the IPad

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hardware Form Factor (Encasement)

The Form Factor (Encasement) is shown in the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the device disconnected from the IPad, with dock pass-through connector, optional microSD slots, and 8-pin dock connector for connection to IPad.

FIG. 2 is a view of the back side of the IPad with the device connected, showing the optional microSD slots.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device on the IPad, showing the optional microSD slots

FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the IPad with the device attached.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the IPad with the device attached.

Hardware Contents (System of Electrical Circuits)

The contents of the above packaging will contain any number of the following electrical components as well as any other electrical components which might be necessary for operation:

-   -   Memory Components     -   Memory Cards     -   Controllers     -   PCBs     -   Interconnect     -   Capacitors     -   Oscillators     -   Device Software

The software of the storage device will contain any number of the following items as well as any other software that might be necessary for operation of the storage device:

-   -   Memory Management Software (Error Correction, Wear Leveling,         etc.)     -   Custom Content (Data, Video, Images, Music, Documents, etc.)     -   Security     -   Digital Rights Management     -   Host (IPad) Software

The software of the host (IPad) will contain any number of the following items as well as any other software that might be necessary for operation of the host with the storage device:

-   -   Host Application Interface Software     -   Data Translation Software     -   Memory Management Software     -   Content     -   Content Enabling Software     -   Security     -   Digital Rights Management

Operation

In operation one uses the storage device 100 as an attachment to the IPad. The storage device and host software allow the user to record content, store it on the storage device, retrieve the content in a secure way, and display/play the content on the host device. The user may install the host software by downloading it from the Internet. Or, the software may come pre-loaded on either the host or the storage device. Multiple hosts will be able to operate with the same card (device) in accordance with security and digital rights management.

The Pass-through Connector 110 allows the user to connect additional devices (such as chargers) to the IPad while keeping the storage device attached and operational.

The optional microSD slots 111 allow the user to insert microSD cards into the storage device and record content, store it on the microSD cards, retrieve the content from the microSD cards in a secure way, and display/play the content from the microSD cards on the host IPad device.

Advantages

From the description above, it is evident that users who need additional memory for their IPad now have a peripheral storage device which allows the user to record content, store it on the storage device, retrieve the content in a secure way, and display/play the content on the host device. Previously, these users had no way of extending the memory capabilities of their IPad.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that content makers (makers of video, music, maps, etc.) application makers (makers of games, GPS, live broadcasting, etc.) are no longer limited by the hardware present on the IPad. Instead, content makers and application makers are now liberated to fully leverage the IPad platform. Users, too, are freed from the limitations inherent to their IPad device. As Moore's law continues to enable more and more memory, controller, and data transmission speed, and greater software power for this peripheral device, there is virtually no limitation to the types of content and applications that can be used with the IPad. The devices that have changed the world have now reached their maximum potential to content makers, application makers, and users alike! 

We claim:
 1. A peripheral storage device for a computing device having a 8 pin connector, said peripheral storage device comprising: (a) an encasement for electronic circuits, (b) a system of electronic circuits mounted inside said encasement, (c) a device software means inside said system of electronic circuits for transmitting and receiving data to and from said computing device, said computing device including a host software means for transmitting and receiving data to and from said system of electronic circuits, and (d) said encasement having a vertical rear wall and a horizontal base attached to said vertical rear wall, wherein said horizontal base includes a 8 pin connector to mate with said connector of said computing device, wherein said computing device is an Apple iPad™, whereby said peripheral storage device provides said computing device with direct access to additional incremental storage beyond that built in said computing device.
 2. A method of expanding the storage of a computing device having a 8 pin connector comprising: (a) providing an encasement for electronic circuits, said encasement having a vertical rear wall and a horizontal base attached to said vertical rear wall, wherein said horizontal base includes a 8 pin connector to mate with said connector of said computing device, (b) mounting a system of electronic circuits inside said encasement, (c) loading a device software means into the said system of electronic circuits for transmitting and receiving data to and from said computing device, and (d) loading a host software means into said computing device for transmitting and receiving data to and from said system of electronic circuits, wherein said computing device is an Apple iPad™, whereby said computing device has direct access to additional incremental storage beyond that built in said computing device. 